Dark Age and Viking Swords

Viking Swords have a reputation for being brutal, heavy, and unwieldy.

These swords and misconceptions about them are made popular by films
like The Thirteenth Warrior, in which the main character (played by
Antonio Bandaras)
can barely lift one, let alone fight with it.

While in reality the Norse Sword is still a savage chopping weapon,
it is much different from what popular culture would have us believe...

Most experts agree that Viking Swords as they are commonly recognized grew out of interactions between the Roman Empire and
Germanic Cultures that made their way North.

The earliest finds of were single-edged, like the Scramasax, a short, single-edged
blade common across Europe but especially with Viking and Germanic cultures (pictured below, though historically they were not generally found stuck through a plastic target).

However, after the 8th century the Spatha was introduced to Norway, and
the development of doubled-edged swords began. In fact, some believe
that it was out
of these 'Viking' designs that the classic Medieval Sword grew. The
definitive work on the development of Viking Swords was written in 1919
by Jan Petersen, entitled 'De Norske Vikingsverd'.

Antique Viking Swords

While Viking Swords may appear to be the same across the board,
Petersen identified 26 different types in common use from the 8th
century and onward.

These were mainly defined by their hilt and pommel variations, as the
blade types were quite similar - averaging 94 cm in length, deep, wide
fullers, and yet almost
exclusively one-handed (Vikings tended to fight with a sword in one hand
and an axe, buckler or other weapon in the other hand).

The blades also began showing signs of early distal tapers, which led
to them being quite well-balanced and comparatively light to later
Medieval Two-Handed Swords.

In 1927, R. Wheeler distilled Petersen's 26 types down to 9, from I
to IX, which paved the way for the Oakeshott Typology system for
Medieval Swords. The differences
from type I-IX can be difficult to spot, as the characteristics that
make the Viking Sword so unique (smaller hilt, the decorative pommel
beneath a single-handed grip) have many variations.

R. Wheelers 9 Types of Hilt Configurations for Viking Swords

In our price range there are a large number of available products.
Virtually every budget sword maker has tried their hand at a Viking
design, with varying
degrees of success. However, from SBG's favorite forges come some
highly attractive, well-priced and well-made pieces that would have made
any Viking warrior
welcome in the Halls of Valhalla.

Legacy Arms Viking Swords(formerly known as Generation 2)

Perhaps the most historically accurate of all replica Viking swords under the $300 price point is the River Witham sword reviewed below.

In fact,
their River Witham model consistently impresses sword owners who have
access to much more expensive models. Consider this statement from one of our SBG sword forum members who owned one;

"If someone were to have handed me this sword without me having any
prior knowledge of it, I would have said it was from Albion at first
glance. Then I would have noticed
small things like the grip being suede (Albion has different grips
obviously), the slightly irregular fuller, and the imperfect diamonds,
and I would be really stumped!
Here is a sword that is shaped and handles like an albion..."

With high praise like that, it is no wonder that these Viking swords are so popular...

"River Witham Viking"

Legacy Arms (Generation 2)

Price Range: $269-299

OVERVIEW: Developed in conjuction with the late sword historian Hank Reinhardt
based on an actual antique found in the River Witham, this is actually
one of Generation 2's finest creations and comes very close to getting a
full 5 start rating.

Windlass Steelcrafts Viking Swords

Windlass has produced several Viking swords over the years.
Unfortunately, few of them remain around long enough to gain much
popularity, as
Windlass tends to rotate their production stock fairly frequently. That
being said, they have some classics that have stood the test of time, including one that I would have to rate as the best value for money in this entire category - and several others -
ranging from some very attractive pieces to those that end up in pieces
(see the reviews below for more info).

"Sticklestad sword"

Windlass Steelcrafts

Price Range:$169-239

OVERVIEW:This is my personal favorite of all replica Viking swords, not only because in terms of handling, durability and performance - it is
in a league of its own, but also because it is extremely competitively priced. Highly recommended.

Cold Steel Viking Swords

Cold steel tend to take a shotgun approach to their functional sword range - covering as many eras and cultures as possible with at least one sword marketed for its cutting power and durability.

Their offering to the world of Viking swords is no exception - but for this one, historical accuracy takes a back seat.

"Viking Sword"

Cold Steel

Price Range:$299-424

OVERVIEW: A sword with a bit of an identity crisis - more Celtic than Viking, and
not based on anything historical. Strong blade and very sharp, but a bit
expensive for what it is, especially if you pay full price (but affordable enough if you know where to look)

Hanwei Forge Viking Swords

Hanwei have almost bowed out of the Viking sword market, but they still have at least one that has been doing the rounds for years. Whether or not it will stand the test of time though remains to be seen...

"Godfred Viking Sword"

Hanwei Forge

Price Range: $439-765

OVERVIEW: Another Damascus Steel sword similar to the Windlass Damascus Viking sword we have already seen but with a more austere, subdued look. A good sword in it's own right, but hard to say if that is enough to compete with the Windlass.

Darksword Armory Viking Swords

Darksword Armory have actually had quite a decent range of super tough, beater Viking swords over the years. Not all of them have been reviewed here, but from what has you should get a pretty good idea of what to expect from their offerings.

Saxon Sword: The Saxon by Darksword Armory was a simple design, but despite it's simplicity was actually quite attractive and authentic. But as with all DSA swords, it had a reputation for extreme durability - and in this review it was certainly put through its paces (and then some).

Further Resources

One of the best online resources on Viking Blades is a translation project of Jan Petersen's work, available here at
Viking Sword.com

The site includes diagrams, historical information, and photographs of
actual
recovered relics from Viking Times. The language can be a bit academic
at times and the translation is no where near complete, but it is a good
introduction to
the genre. As always, the various sword forums are a good place to learn
more about any type of sword.